Convention & Visitors Advisory Board

Advises City Council, City Manager, and department director on the use of funds created by hotel and motel tax and provides annual reports to the City Council regarding the convention and visitors department budget and projects and promotions referred to the Board for review. Members of this twelve member board should have demonstrated by past activities an interest in the convention and tourism business. In addition, five of the twelve members must own or operator hotels or motels within the City limits. The length of terms is two years, with openings occurring in September.

Members & Terms:

Joan Beard - Term Ending September 30, 2015

David Thomas - Term Ending September 30, 2015

Scott Cristal - Term Ending September 30, 2015

John LaRocca - Term Ending September 30, 2015

Bob McDonald - Term Ending September 30, 2015

Susan Bell - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Leela Jashnani - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Michael Kelly - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Thomas Schultz - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Spencer Turner - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Kimberly Trabue - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Teri Weise - Term Ending September 30, 2016

Establishing Legislation:

Sec. 26-83. Convention and visitors advisory board--Established; composition; qualifications; terms. There is hereby established a convention and visitors advisory board. The board shall consist of twelve (12) members. Five (5) members shall be owners or operators of hotels or motels within the city limits. All board members shall have demonstrated by past activities an interest in the convention and tourism business. They shall be appointed and shall serve two-year terms unless sooner removed; provided, however, that the city council may, by initial appointment, stagger the terms of the board members as it may deem appropriate. The chair of the board is authorized to excuse any member from attendance at a board meeting; provided, that the member requested to be excused before the meeting. Any member who is absent, without being excused, from twenty-five (25) per cent of the regular board meetings held in a calendar year shall automatically forfeit the office. Any member who is absent, without being excused, from three (3) consecutive regular meetings shall automatically forfeit the office. It shall be the duty of the chair to promptly notify the council of the vacancy. (Code 1964, § 11.1442; Ord. No. 16297, § 1, 12-20-99; Ord. No. 17658, § 1, 4-21-03)

Sec. 26-84. Same--Purpose; duties generally. (a) The board shall be advisors to the city council, city manager and department director on the use of the funds created by the hotel and motel tax herein provided for and on the promotions and activities of the convention and visitors department. (b) The board's advisory role shall be limited to advising the city council and staff; no administrative direction shall be made to the director or any staff member of the convention and visitors department. Any board member interfering with the administration of the department shall forfeit his post upon the affirmative vote of the city council. (c) The board shall annually report to the city council on the: (1) Annual budget of the convention and visitors department. (2) Such projects and promotions as the city council or staff shall refer to the board for review. (3) Such other duties as the city council may assign. (d) The board shall develop and submit to the city council a proposed plan for use of the tax funds that are designated for tourist attractions and events. As part of the annual budget process, the board shall solicit proposals for the use of these tax funds and, after a public review process, make recommendations to the city council on the use of the funds. (Code 1964, § 11.1442; Ord. No. 16297, § 1, 12-20-99)

Sec. 26-85. Same--Rules of procedure; officers. The board shall require a quorum of seven (7) members and the affirmative vote of four (4) of its members to make any recommendation. It shall elect, from its membership, a chair and such other officers as it shall provide. (Code 1964, § 11.1443; Ord. No. 17658, § 1, 4-21-03)